TEES TECH AWARDS 2025

SPONSORED BY DAISY CHAIN

Daisy Chain CEO Neeraj Sharma presented the Tech for Good award on behalf of sponsor Plastic Processing to Labman Automation project managers Joy Plowman and Matthew Watson.

WINNER

A system that helps people at one of the most sensitive times of their lives bagged Labman Automation the Tech for Good title at the Tees Tech Awards.

By developing a groundbreaking IVF specimen storage and retrieval system, Stokesley-based Labman, in collaboration with TMRW Life Sciences, has revolutionised the safe storage of life-critical IVF samples.

CryoRobot Select makes IVF success more likely by ensuring safe, efficient and reliable storage of eggs and embryos. And that, says Labman, is just one example of the life-changing things it does. On a busy night for the firm – it would later win the Business of the Year title – project manager Matthew Watson said of the Tech for Good triumph:“ It’ s great to get the recognition that what we do at Labman makes a difference for people.

“ What we do enhances people’ s lives. We don’ t just go to work, go home and that’ s the end of the day. What we do goes on beyond that seven and a half hours we work a day – and there are people affected by this system all over the world.”

The CryoRobot Select project began in 2020. Matthew said:“ A customer approached us saying they wanted us to help revolutionise this industry by making it better for people and for samples to be handled in an easier way.

“ It was all about making sure things don’ t go wrong and making the whole IVF process, which is probably traumatic at the best of times, easier for people. If they know their samples are being handled well, that’ s one less thing they need to worry about.

“ Maybe naively, we always thought we were going to get there – but that’ s the mindset we have at Labman.”

Fellow project manager Joy Plowman added:“ We’ re always expanding and looking for different opportunities to do something good.

“ We work with many different sectors, so this is just one part of everything we do at Labman. We’ re always wanting to make a difference in people’ s lives, such as the Covid testing robot we did in 2020.”

FINALISTS

HOME HUB

An AI-powered digital platform designed to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in housing, Home Hub gives tenants instant access to vital home energy information via a simple app or QR code.

By breaking down complex data, Home Hub empowers tenants to lower bills, reduce carbon emissions and manage household issues with reduced reliance on landlords. It also drives engagement with government-backed energy efficiency programmes, increasing uptake of schemes that improve home sustainability.

For landlords, the platform streamlines communication, reduces maintenance costs and supports compliance with energy regulations. And by allowing tenants to take control of their energy use, Home Hub is a game-changer in the fight against fuel poverty.

SALVIFY

Salvify addresses a critical question few of us consider:“ If you collapsed right now, would the nearest medic have everything needed to save your life?”

Inspired by co-founder Craig Rabbett’ s frontline experience as an offshore medic and informed by public tragedies such as the Manchester bombing, Salvify ensures medical teams have the right supplies when lives depend on it.

By replacing chaotic paper systems with intuitive digital tools, Salvify represents technology at its most meaningful: ensuring that when seconds count, medical professionals can focus on saving lives, not searching for supplies. And since launching in January 2024, it has transformed medical readiness across ambulance services, event medical teams and healthcare providers globally.

SPONSOR’ S MESSAGE

Neeraj Sharma, CEO, Daisy Chain: We wanted to get behind a category that provides innovation, helpful outcomes and opportunities for the region – and what better way than sponsoring an award that delivers all of those things for social purpose, for change and for a good cause? That’ s why we wanted to support this award – and we’ re really impressed with the phenomenal finalists.

The voice of business in the Tees region | 151